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Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines parents & teachers of primary school children
There are lots of exciting places to visit Santa this year both old favourites and new locations. Here is the Primary Times Guide to the best places to visit Santa in Leinster!
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Santa’s House Express
There is something very exciting coming to the 5* Palmerstown House Estate this Christmas… the man himself will be residing in the beautiful Manor home for the weeks coming up to Christmas along with Mrs Claus, the Elves, lots of characters and of course the reindeer! Depart on the Santa Polar Express through the meandering forests of Palmerstown House Estate on a magical & memorable festive journey... visit Rudolph on the way and watch out for a few surprises in the forest!
Jump off the train at Santa's Manor Home and enter into his magnificent hallway. In Santa's house you will be invited to have your photo taken in Santa's sleigh, visit Mrs Claus in her sitting room where she will tell you the stories about looking after the man himself, watch a Christmas movie & spot the elves busy at work preparing all the presents for this Christmas! Venture up the magnificent staircase and visit Santa in his reading room. Santa will greet & spend some time with you and of course have a special present for the boys and girls who were very good throughout the year! Don't forget to bring your letter! Extra Dates added -Book on www.santashouseexpress.ie
Fri 28th Nov – Tue 23rd Dec
Santa’s Lakeshore Wonderland
Santa Claus & Mrs Claus plus all the Toy Workshop Elves are coming to The Avon Ri Lakeshore Resort for the very first time this Festive Season. With daily arrival of Santa, Mrs Claus & the Elves at Avon Ri, there are lots of activities including: Santa’s Grotto, Elf Workshop + Arts & Crafts, Elf Photographer to capture the big visit to Santa, Christmas Food & Local Craft Market every Saturday & Sunday, Elf Zipline (weather permitting!), Santa’s Avon Ri Christmas Trail Quiz, Magic Wishing Stone, Café Claus, Christmas Family Movies, Pet Farm & Kids Play Area…all in a Winter Wonderland lakeshore setting with lakeshore beach & forest walks/Blessington Greenway. €18 per child including gift & hot chocolate and Kids eat free offer in Café Claus with every child ticket. Group rates available. Make it more magical with an overnight stay in one of the lakeshore townhouses (sleeps up to 6) from €100 midweek or €150 for Fridays & Saturdays and 10% off each Santa’s Lakeshore Wonderland Child ticket. Book online at www.avonri.com 045 900670. Blessington, Co Wicklow.
Sat 29th Nov – Tues 23rd Dec 2014
Lullymore Christmas 2014
Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park brings you its 9th annual “Lullymore Christmas” event which was voted “Best Santa in Leinster” by you, the Primary Times readers for the fourth year running in 2014 - a traditional and magical experience for both young and old is guaranteed. The park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland of family fun with some very special guests to entertain you along the way! This year is going to be better than ever with the following festive treats in store:
A magical Snow Train trip through the woods, passing lakes and new Peatland Biodiversity area, Elf Hologram in Crannog House in woodland. Christmas Fairy Hologram in thatched cottage. Illuminated walkway through woodland and Fairy Bower. Visit the Crib scene in the newly upgraded Lullymore Early Christian Centre. Animals such as donkeys, goats and miniature horses will be in Pet Farm area beside the Indoor centre. Play in the Winter wonderland themed Funky Forest Play Centre, make a wish at the interactive “Snow Show” and post a Letter to Santa. The highlight of the day will be the visit to Santa in his Treehouse home and receiving a quality gift from the hard working elves in their beautiful workshop. To see arrival of Santa and his friends by road train - 10am weekends/2pm weekdays.
Rates are €18 per child and €5 for adults/teens. €9 for baby admission (under one year) with parcel. Open 10am – 6pm weekends / 2pm-6pm weekdays (closed 1st/2nd Dec). Late Openings Wed & Thurs. 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th Dec. 2pm – 8.30pm. Photos not supplied - bring your own cameras. Maximum stay is 2 hours. Groups pre-book, families please arrive early on weekends. Last admission 4.30pm daily or for late openings 7.15pm. Visit www.lullymoreheritagepark.com or contact 045 870238 / ray@lullymoreheritagepark.com for more information.
Sat 29th Nov- Wed 24th Dec
Santa at Emo Court
Visit Santa at Emo Court, Gardens and Tea Rooms where each child will be greeted by Ellie Elf and brought to Santa’s beautiful Georgian Grotto where they will help Mrs Claus prepare her Cookies, have a chat with Santa and receive a gift. Afterwards they will have hot chocolate and a cookie in the Tea Rooms. Santa Visits 29th/30th Nov, 6th/7th, 13th/14th & Fri 19th to Wed 24th Dec inclusive.
Booking by prior reservation only. Santa visit €10 per child (Adults go free). Bring your own Camera to capture the memories! Book on 057 863 3964 or 086 617 3534 or email catocafinefood@gmail.com.
CaToCa Fine Foods and Giftware, Emo Court, Emo, Co Laois.
Nov 30th to Dec 23rd
Causey Christmas Experience
A Magical Trail of Seasonal Events All Around Causey Farm. Meet Mary and Joseph and their new arrival in Bethlehem, stir the pudding and make a wish in Christmas Cottage; help the elves sort the mail in the post office; Mrs Claus is so excited everyone is coming to visit her as well as Santa and she will show you where the slide down into the beautiful workshop is ... there's lots of work to be done there. Santa will be in his Parlour to meet all the boys and girls and he has lovely gifts all ready for you all. Don't forget to visit the reindeer and Snowball Alley too.
Wrap up warmly - its Christmas time! Children €20, Adults €12, 12-23 months €6, babies free Booking essential on www.causey.ie or 046 9434135. Causey Farm, near Kells, Co. Meath
Sat 29th Nov to Sun 21st December
GREEN SANTA AT BELVEDERE
Treat your children to a magical Christmas experience with Green Santa at Belvedere House, which will be decorated in a Victorian Christmas style. Green Santa will arrive by boat across Lough Ennell to Belvedere House at 11am on Sat 29th Nov. He will proceed to his magical grotto where children will travel through the enchanted wardrobe to see him.
Green Santa has a message for Children everywhere; Christmas is not just about toys, there are other gifts that are far more important. Children will visit Green Santa in his magical grotto where he will help the children pot up seasonal native Irish trees, which the children can plant in their gardens at home. The tree grows alongside the child at home and can be a lifetime memory of that special visit to Green Santa at Belvedere. Wildflower seed shakers for attracting fairies and flutter bys into your garden and old fashioned Victorian Candy are other Green Santa treats. All Green Santa Bookings include entry to the House Gardens, Park and Playgrounds. Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. For prices and booking.
Tel:(044) 9349060 - www.belvedere-house.ie
Sat 6th - Tue 23rd December
Santa at Wallaby Woods
Come and enjoy the magic of Wallaby Woods, Donadea, Co Kildare at Christmas. Write & post your letter to Santa, walk the illuminated woods with the elves to meet Santa & Mrs Claus, decorate your own Gingerbread cookies to take home along with your Santa Gift, visit the crib & fairy house. You can enjoy the woodland walks/petting shed and playgrounds after your Santa experience. Price €18 per child - Admission includes two parents/guardians accompanying a family or child. Additional adults are charged at €5. Dates: Sat 6th, Sun 7th, Sat 13th, Sun 14th, Fri 19th, Sat 20th, Sun 21st, Mon 22nd and Tues 23rd Dec. Times: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on each day. 10% discount if you show the Wallaby Woods Advert! Pre booking is essential so to avoid disappointment book early –
email:wallabywoodsdonadea@gmail.com, Tel: 045 909555 or Message them on Facebook. www.wallabywoods.ie
Sat 6th– Mon 22nd Dec
Visit Santa at The Kildare Maze
Take a stroll through the Seasonal Woodland and along a sparkling covered path to Santa’s Cabin in the Hedge Maze. Have a little chat and receive your gift. Have your photo taken with Santa. Outside test out Santa's Sleigh and take your own photos. Join in the indoor snowball fight – see if you can hit the snowman! Pre-booking online is essential. Open 6th/7th, 13th/14th & 20th/21st/22nd Dec 12-5pm. Price €15 per child. One adult is permitted free entry with child admission, €5 for extra adults. Under 2's not visiting Santa are free. Book online at www.thekildaremaze.com.
Group bookings. available Please call 086 8519296. The Kildare Maze, Prosperous, Co Kildare.
Thurs 4th – Tue 23rd December
Chocolate Warehouse
When you enter The Chocolate Warehouse you will be greeted by Santa's helpers before walking down the Christmas walk way to meet the man himself, Santa Claus in his house and receive a Santa gift. Post your letter to the North Pole, make a Christmas cracker & view the mini chocolate factory. Mulcahy Keane Ind Est. Greenhills Rd D12. Tel: 01 4500080 www.chocolatewarehouse.ie
Sat 29th Nov – Mon 22nd Dec
Santa at Glenroe
A magical Christmas experience with Santa in his thatched cottage, Santa’s reindeer, Nativity Stable with real animals and more. www.glenroefarm.com
Sat 29th Nov- Tue 23rd Dec
Ireland's Lapland
Visit Ireland’s Lapland at Glendeer Pet Farm, decorated with thousands of twinkling lights, meet Santa & his deer Dancer & Prancer or see a crib with a live animals. Curryroe, Drum, Athlone. www.glendeerpetfarm.ie
Sat 29th Nov – Tue 23rd December
Santa’s Grotto at Dublin Zoo
Visit Santa in his magical grotto every weekend in December for a festive-themed visit to Dublin Zoo. www.dublinzoo.ie 01 474 8900
Sat 29th Nov – Tue 23rd Dec
Santa at Tayto Park
This holiday season, Tayto Park will be a fantastic winter wonderland where you can experience the true magic of Christmas at Santa’s Grotto in the Lodge www.taytopark.ie
Fri 28th Nov – Mon 22nd Dec
Santa’s Magical Trail
Journey with the elves through the enchanted forest, take a ride on Santa’s Magical Carriage to meet Rudolph and his friends at Santa’s farm. Wander through Santa’s home and Snow White’s cottage then have a snowball fight in the outdoor Snow Room. Clanard Court Hotel, Athy, Co Kildare. 059 8640666 www.santasmagicaltrail.com
Fri 28th Nov – Sun 21st Dec
The Enchanted Kingdom
This year Santa is coming to Slane Castle and he and his elves will be transforming the Castle into The Enchanted Kingdom for the entire family to come and explore. www.slanecastle.ie
December
Christmas Island
Experience the magic of Christmas with thousands of lights, Santa Claus, Mrs Claus, the elves, Rudolph, presents, activities, food & drink and more on Christmas Island at Hidden Valley Resort, Rathdrum, County Wicklow. www.christmasisland.ie